>> karen, mandela clear hero to president obama. will he be traveling to south africa for the memorial? >> no trip has been announced yet by the white house but it seems likely the president and possibly first lady would go over for the services when they happen over the next week or two. the president was so candid yesterday speaking about the influence that nelson mandela had in his life. he said he could not imagine living his life without the example that nelson mandela set. >> tell us more about president obama's last trip to south africa and when he first met mandela as a senator. >> reporter: president obama was in south africa in june. nelson mandela was very sick at that point. the white house said out of respect for him and his family they were not going to have the obamas go and meet him. instead, he took his wife and daughters to nelson mandela's cell on robben island. he said it was a privilege and honor to be there. the first and only time they met is right after president obama was elected senator in 2005. it was at a